In William Shakespeare's Othello, the character Emilia suggests that the other characters of the play represent "heaven and men and devils," loosely setting up the format of the entire work, and summed up clearly in the final scene. There are characters that distinctly represent each of these realms, as well as some that seem to have characteristics from two of the areas. Desdemona is the character most closely associated with heaven as is represented by her goodness throughout the play, even when faced with her own death. Iago clearly represents the devils: he goes out of his way to cause problems for others without any clear motive. Othello is representative of the realm of man, so easily influenced by outside forces and torn between the rewards of heaven and the temptations of hell.

Desdemona's character has many aspects that create an impression of a Christ-like figure. She is always good, no matter what temptation she is faced with.

From the Library of Congress: TITLE: Thos. W. Keen...

Illustration of Othello and Iago

Othello and Desdemona in Venice, 1850, oil on wood...

When she realizes that she is suspected of adultery, she brings it into conversation with her trusted friend and servant Emilia. Emilia says she would not consider it a sin to betray her husband in such a way, "In troth, I think I should [do it]Ã¢ÂÂ¦" (4.3.73.). Desdemona, even presented with her best friend's advice that this would not be a bad thing, cannot comprehend the sin, saying, "I do not think there is any such woman," (4.3.86.). She takes the blame of her alleged sin, accepting that some may say slanderous things without knowing the truth, much as Jesus accepted the charge that he was a false king and accepted his due punishment. Jesus' purpose in not denying and just accepting was to use his trials to save the people, similar to the way Desdemona tries to save Othello...

More Shakespeare essays:

... Iago, Roderigo, Brabantio and Emilia. In Shakespeare's time, black people were seen as inferiors as humans and also in their roles in society. But Othello is different. Not only does he possess a high class in society with a good ...

... Roderigo, a friend of Iago, refers to Othello as "the thick-lips"� (1.1.65). Othello and Desdemona's marriage is seen as a sin, a wrongful doing. As Iago ... good and in evil in the world"� (Dowden 224). In the play Othello by William ...

... Othello's obsession with Desdemona's virtue or lack of it thereof, his obsession regarding the possession of the handkerchief, Iago's obsession of attaining promotion and his all-consuming hate of Othello, Cassio's obsession of his reputation, Roderigo's obsession of Desdemona ...

... Roderigo, Iago and Brabantio , we get the picture that Othello is a sexually possessed animal. This is because Roderigo is angry that Desdemona has married Othello, when he was in love with her; Brabantio feels betrayed by his daughter for marrying Othello behind his back; and Iago ...

... Desdemona, Cassio and Roderigo, but Othello himself. Iago sees Othello's honesty and innocence as weakness and gullibility so instead of working to preserve or deserve Othello's trust he seeks to exploit it, using it to destroy him. Iago reveals his plan to destroy Othello ...

8 pages321Mar/20065.0

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